President Jakaya Kikwete said yesterday he was "deeply concerned" by religious documents on next year's General Election.

Answering questions during a live television phone-in programme last night, he said the Government would soon meet with religious leaders to discuss the issue.

"The recent CCM NEC (National Executive Council) meeting directed us - that is me, the Vice-President and Prime Minister - to meet with the religious leaders we have already started preparations for the meeting.

"My request to religious leaders is that we should wait for this meeting and they should in the meantime desist from issuing any more documents. The NEC also directed that party leaders should not participate in public debates on the documents," he said.

The Head of State said he was worried that the documents could polarise voters and divide the nation after next year year's General Election.

"My worry is that people will go into the elections and vote as Christians or Muslims. In such a situation, you can expect people to be divided along religious lines based on those who won and those who lost. This is dangerous," he said.

On education, he said the Government would use its own funds to address the shortage of teachers' houses.

He added that the decision had been inspired by the successful implementation of the Lake Victoria Water Project, which was wholly funded by the Government.

President Kikwete said that some donors, including the African Development Bank and the US, had agreed to assist the Government in the construction of laboratories and publishing of books for secondary schools.